Heartrending Account: How Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Passed On
This morning, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the venerable Zulu monarch, esteemed traditional prime minister, and the founding figure behind the IFP passed on at the age of 95.
President Cyril Ramaphosa shared this heart-wrenching announcement earlier today through his social media channels and official communications.
“Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has been an outstanding leader in the political and cultural life of our nation, including the ebbs and flows of our liberation struggle, the transition which secured our freedom in 1994 and our democratic dispensation.”
“Prince Buthelezi, who served as the democratic South Africa’s first Minister of Home Affairs, passed away in the early hours of today, Saturday, 9 September 2023, just two weeks after the celebration of his 95th birthday.”
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How Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Passed On
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s health had been a matter of concern for some time. He was admitted to the hospital on the 24th of July for routine medical evaluations and to seek respite from back pain.
While at the hospital, the monarch underwent a minor surgical procedure to alleviate his back discomfort. However, as the days passed, complications emerged. Disturbingly, reports from Daily Sun suggest that he endured an unfortunate burn injury during his hospitalisation, compounding his suffering.
It was only on 2 September, a week after his 95th birthday, that he was finally discharged from the hospital.
Prince Buthelezi’s children, Princess Phumzile Buthelezi, Prince Ntuthuko Buthelezi, and Sibuyiselwe Buthelezi, issued a poignant statement following their father’s passing, shedding light on the circumstances of his demise:
“In this devastating moment, we thank God Almighty for his faithfulness and grace and know with certainty that uMntwana has been embraced by his Lord. He passed quietly and painlessly stepped into eternity in the early hours of this morning.”
Funeral Arrangements
The Buthelezi family will meet King Misuzulu, the Royal Family, President Ramaphosa, the Buthelezi clan, and IFP leadership to organize the funeral arrangements.